Help with Emmons push pull set up - Central PA

Wendell Hullihen · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Hello all,
I'm new to steel guitar (coming from 6 string) and now have my grandfather's Emmon's Push Pull S10 with 4 pedals and 3 knee levers (from the original build).

I'm looking for a shop or anyone with experience to help show me the process of adjusting and tuning. I am a little nervous to start messing with the pedal and knee lever adjustments too much without understanding how everything works. I tuned the keyhead but the pedals are a bit off. It took me hours to set up the raises on pedal A to the Jeff Newman tuning chart and I really question if i'm doing it right.

I am more than happy to pay for someone's time and will travel an hour or two, but I do not want to ship it, and would really value learning how this all works.

Thank you
Wendel

Paul Wade · From: mundelein,ill

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=205028
https://www.jimcohen.com/

Dave Campbell · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

the emmons push pull is not for the faint of heart in terms of diy set up. it works quite differently than most pedal steels, and embraces the law of unintended consequences.

you can start by ordering clem schmidt's book on setting up the push pull.

tommy cass is in western mass. and does great work and is a really nice guy. john widgren also has a great reputation and is in connecticut. either one i'm sure would give you a great setup in less time than you could do it yourself.

steel guitar is hard enough to start on, but is even harder if you don't have confidence that your machine is working correctly.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Forum member Burnell Groft in Hanover can do it. He has rebuilt many steels.

I don't have his phone number.
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GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

Tommy Vollmer in Hamburg Pa. can help you.
I'll ask him to contact you.

Tom Vollmer · From: Hamburg, Pennsylvania, USA

I am in Hamburg Pa and can help.
contact me if you want
tomvollmer@verizon.net

Wendell Hullihen · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Thank you everyone for the replies. Tom - I just sent you an email.

Wendel

Tommy Auldridge · From: Maryland, USA

Wendell: I sent you a private message. Thanks, Tommy.....

Andy DePaule · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

Hi Wendell,
Your doing the right thing.
I've played all pull PSG's for 40+ years. Got my first Push Pull a couple of years ago and they are a strange and different animal, but a very nice pet to have. Laughing

It's a very simple system that is very difficult to set up right.
Once set up it stays put for a long time. They seem to stay in tune very nice too.
I had some help getting mine working right by people who know. Even now, I'd not want to mess with it though I've worked on many all pulls, this is a different world.
I'll bet that will be a great sounding steel and enough to keep you busy for years to come.
Best wishes,
Andy Very Happy

_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.

Dave Magram · From: San Jose, California, USA

Hi Wendell,

I'd highly recommend Clem Schmitz's bargain-priced booklet "Methodology And Practice In Pedal Steel Guitar" to any Emmons push-pull owner. Clem used to own a steel guitar store and repair shop in Minneapolis, then one in Nashville, where he worked on Emmons push-pulls owned by players such as Mike Johnson.

The 24-page booklet shows how to make simple adjustments to an Emmons push-pull or even take the entire guitar apart and put it back together. In his booklet, Clem explains step by step (with photos) exactly how to disassemble, re-assemble, and adjust push-pull guitars with several clever little tricks that would take a very long time to figure out.

He usually sells the booklet on eBay listed as "Pedal Steel Guitar Methodology P/P Guide Booklet" for $15.
He also sells a combo package of the book and 2 DVDs as " Pedal Steel Guitar METHODOLOGY P/P Book & DVD's Package" for $20.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pedal-Steel-Guitar-METHODOLOGY-P-P-Book-DVDs-Package-/280598597396
I'd recommend the $20 "combo package".

Emmons push-pull guitars are very reliable and stable and I almost never need Clem's booklet, but itâ€™s great to have for the rare time every 10 years or so when some little Allen screw loosens up somewhere, or a string pitch change isnâ€™t happening the way it shouldâ€”and you have to leave for a gig in the next 30 minutes. Very Happy

Clem is a very helpful guy; I've heard that if you are really stuck, he will guide you through the fix via Skype for a very nominal fee.

- Dave

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

+1 for Clem. He has helped me over the years both with set up issues and with supplying some of his special self made parts. His Methodology book is my bible for my push pull.

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Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,

Andy DePaule · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

Thanks Dave and Ken,
I saw your posts and just went right on line to order "The Good Book" Ha ha ha.
Looks like a good help with Push Pulls. Laughing

_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.

Eric Philippsen · From: Central Indiana, USA

My 2 cents added to those above who are definitely very knowledgeable.

A push-pull that is well adjusted will rarely require readjustment, especially if one stays with the same string gauges. Yes, minor tweaks to individual strings are necessary but it has been my experience that push-pulls stay amazingly in tune. I donâ€™t know how many times I have set up a p/p for a gig, sat down to tune and discovered the steel to still be in tune.

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